Over one third of female accountants too anxious to take leave

More than a third of female accountants have not taken annual leave as they were anxious about handing over their to-do list, according to data from occupational charity Caba.

The study of over 200 female chartered accountants in the UK found that almost nine in 10 (88%) women regularly sacrifice their own work-life balance to accommodate the needs of others.

A similar percentage (85%) said they struggle to set boundaries with colleagues and their manager regarding their time, workload or personal priorities.

When asked why this is, two in five (40%) said that keeping people happy is more important.

Over one in three (36%) said they worry they’re not deserving of their place at the company if they don’t push themselves.

Meanwhile, almost two in three (62%) respondents said they regularly experience feelings of self-doubt regarding their abilities within their role.

Ola Opoosun, head of support services at caba, said: “The study findings show that there are still significant challenges for women working in the accountancy profession and that the industry still has some way to go if it’s to become a truly inclusive space for women.

“Many female chartered accountants are struggling with a lack of confidence in their role and this, in addition to other factors such as gender bias and a lack of representation at a senior level, is stopping them from reaching their full potential.

Rachel Harris, chartered accountant and founder of accountant_she, added: “When I first started my career as a chartered accountant, I remember being told that I had ‘too much personality’. I struggled to fit into the mould of how an accountant was supposed to look and behave, and this led to feeling that I didn’t belong. I witnessed women around me trying to blend into the status quote, even taking off their wedding rings during interviews.

“Since starting my own accountancy firm, I’ve had the opportunity to break down these stereotypes and create a safe space where everyone can be themselves, regardless of their gender. As a result, I’m now surrounded by role models who I look up to – whether that’s a working mum or someone who feels they can stand up and ask for help or training without fear of looking weak.”